Finance guru: Man United are ‘playing hardball’ after official threat to supporters
Man United are “playing hardball” with season ticket holders who fail to show up to matchdays in order to appease broadcasters.
So says finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Red Devils’ concerns over empty seats at Old Trafford.
As relayed by The Times last Tuesday (8 February), fans could have their season tickets revoked if they fail to attend 10 home games per season.
The report cited an official club message to supporters.
Attendances at the 76,000-capacity Theatre of Dreams can be as low as 69,000 at matches that are nominally sellouts.
Some Premier League clubs offer a scheme whereby fans can sell their season ticket back to the club on a match-by-match basis.
But Plumley argues that United’s stance is less about lost revenue and more about the optics for television cameras.
“They are missing out on some revenue but it’s marginal,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“The seats have already been sold. Yes, you could look to sell those empty seats but I think it’s more about perceptions to broadcasters.
“Empty seats don’t look good. If you’ve got the world watching on, fans will start to question why. Broadcasters want a full stadium.
“For a club like United, you could squeeze some more from selling empty seats but I think it’s more about the image they portray.
“Some of these fans might be overseas with money to burn and only come over for a few games per season.
“United are playing hardball because they know there is a demand to fill the seats.”
United have averaged approximately £110million in matchday income per season in recent years.
United’s turnover for 2020-21 was £494m.
In other news, expert suggests Cristiano Ronaldo is making things “really difficult” for Edinson Cavani at Man United.